The Ups & Downs of Mountain Biking: A First-Timer’s Guide

“Everyone has to start somewhere.” That was my mantra for my first weekend on a mountain bike in Copper Mountain, Colorado. While I wasn’t starting completely from scratch, I’m not sure any of my bike experiences at sea level quite prepared me for biking down a mountainside.  Since moving to Colorado, I’ve seen plenty of cars with bikes in tow, and I wondered what it would be like to try it myself.

Since some friends and I had plans to check out Copper’s Mac and Cheese Fest, I made plans to pick up a bike rental and try it out the morning before the festival.

The rental shop at Copper was great. It only took a couple of minutes for the staff to grab a bike and calibrate it for me.

Once I hopped on the bike, I realized I had never been on a real mountain bike before.

I had no idea the mountain bikes would be so fancy! The only function I recognized from bikes I had ridden in the past was the handlebar breaks. I was grateful the staff took the time to show me the bike’s features. For example, the seat height could be adjusted by clicking a button on the handlebar. You could even lock or loosen the frame of the bike by clicking a lever with your thumb.

All of these features are meant to give riders a better experience on more technical terrain.  Even on a regular road, you can feel the difference. As I rode across the pavement towards the bike trails on the other side of the resort, it felt more like gliding than riding.

The next step was to select a trail. This was a little tricky for me. The trails that were accessible from the lift were intermediate or experienced trails. I opted for the lower mountain trails which seemed a little more beginner-friendly.

I rode along one of the mountain’s service roads until it connected with the Colorado Trail. The views from the trail were beautiful.

Not going to lie: even with a fancier mountain bike, navigating some of the steep declines and rugged terrain was more difficult than I had anticipated. I was warned by some of the folks at the bike shop that I would spend most of my time hovering over the back of my bike seat, rather than actually sitting. That was true! Standing and hovering helped me to control the bike better, but I had to be careful to center my body over the center of my bike, or else the bike could tip forward.

Even though It was harder than I anticipated, it was worth it. There’s nothing like cruising downhill back to the village.

It was super fun to get out this weekend and “start somewhere.” I’d love to get out again and work my way up to some of those intermediate trails.

If your reading this and thinking that biking sounds fun, but maybe you’re not ready for mountain trails yet, you can always get a road bike rental. There are tons of paved, scenic trails in Copper. In fact, one even goes 6 miles to Frisco, with a bus that picks up and brings you back to the resort.

Whatever your skill level, there’s plenty of trails to try in Copper Mountain.

Katie Weiseman
Katie is a graduate student studying International and Intercultural Communication at the University of Denver. Originally hailing from the Midwest, she still remembers her first-time laying eyes on the Rocky Mountains and falling in love. In addition to exploring mountain trails, Katie enjoys checking out Colorado’s craft breweries and scouting the Front Range for the best scoop of ice cream.

10 Reasons to Spend Spring Break at a CSCUSA Ski Resort

Cabo? Crowded. Daytona? Deluged. Miami? $20 cocktails… and mobbed. If you’re looking to break the cycle of humdrum Spring Break destinations, look no further.

Here are the Top 10 Reasons to Travel to a CSCUSA Ski Area:

❆ Too. Tired. To. Move. Durango, in the southwest corner of the state, has two top-notch ski areas within minutes of each other: world-famous Purgatory (Close to Heaven; Fun as Hell) and local favorite Hesperus (26 trails on 60 skiable acres, plus snow tubing on Marmot Hill). Make every day of your spring break multiple choice. Right answers only! Can’t get to Durango? Eldora is but a hop, skip, and ski jump away from Boulder, and it’s the only ski resort served by RTD, Colorado’s largest public transportation system. Hitch a ride on the free round-trip shuttle and get in your first run of the day while everyone else is still looking for parking.

❆ You absolutely, positively wanna live that beach life. Try Arapahoe Basin’s Beach, a never-quite-ending, not-quite-winter, not-quite-summer, ski-in, ski-out tailgate at the base of the mountain. And if you want to wear your swimsuit? The Beach sits at 11,000′, so you’re that much closer to the sun. Pack your sunscreen, people.

❆ You’re tired of making decisions. Steamboat Springs boasts Steamboat Resort, with its 171 trails, 4 terrain parks, and over 400 inches-and-counting of snow this season, and Howelsen Hill, Colorado’s oldest, continuously operated ski area. They’ve been schussing down Howelsen since 1915, and it has the look and feel of a classic Rocky Mountain ski area. Tl/dr: one town, two flavors. Together, they’re the chocolate and vanilla swirl cone of Colorado.

❆ You’ve been eating dry cereal and ramen for months. Whether you’re a foodie or the pickiest of picky, there’s a mouthwatering meal waiting for you in the lodge. Try the bison burgers at Sunlight Mountain Resort or the Thunderbird Tacos at Powderhorn Mountain Resort.

❆ You’re looking for a little cultcha. Get yourself to Aspen, which boasts four ski resorts and a celebrated arts scene. Fill your cup at the Wheeler Opera House or the Anderson Ranch Art Center. Or take in a show at Theatre Aspen and a visit to the Aspen Art Museum.

❆ Your dorm. There’s more to your vacay than just ski, sleep, rinse, repeat. (Although, no judgment here—we’ve all been there.) Ski or ride Telluride all day, then mingle with the locals at the base. Catch the DJ at Bon Vivant on Fridays and Saturdays or live music every day at Gorrono Ranch. Pro tip: March 15^th is Telluride’s 50^th anniversary bash. Visit Winter Park and your day doesn’t have to end after last run. Take an astronomy tour and, if you’re lucky, catch a falling star. Or visit the Waffle Cabin, where everyone gets lucky because the Waffle Cabin is exactly what it sounds like.

❆ You actually miss your family. Granby Ranch is the perfect ski destination for snow lovers of all ages. Think laid back, Western vibes in an anything-but-flat Rocky Mountain setting. From toddlers to grandparents, there’s something for snow lovers of all ages at Granby Ranch, including live music during the day and night skiing under the starlight.

❆ You’ve had it with FOMO. No problem. Echo Mountain is Denver’s backyard ski area. It’s got everything you want, and it’s just down the road. Ski all day and be back in Denver for… well, whatever you want. Because Denver. Or give everyone else FOMO and visit Loveland, which boasts 1,800 acres of remarkable terrain along with free snowcat skiing along the Continental Divide. Free! Snowcat skiing! Along the Continental Divide!

❆ You’ve had it with Insta destinations. Go where everyone is not. For an authentic only-in-Colorado ski area experience, look no further than Monarch Mountain. Located just up the road from Salida, CO, what Monarch boasts in annual snowfall (a lot), it lacks in crowds (not a lot). That’s code for pure, untracked powder stashes, and that’s code for fun. If you’re an experienced skier or rider, Silverton Mountain is your domestic Everest: it’s nothin’ but advanced and expert runs, top to bottom.

❆ You want to try something new. Never stood on a snowboard or skis before? We’ve all been there. The fastest way to get up and get going is with a lesson. Colorado Ski Country USA resorts offer lessons for groups, individuals, just the gals, or those who want to take their skills to the next level. It’s a first time you can brag about to your friends. And spring is a great time. Think sun, think snow, think special events. Think groomers and grins and goggle tans. Think Colorado Ski Country USA.

That’s ten, folks. But wait… there’s more!

❆ Cooper and Copper Mountain may be alphabetical neighbors, but they’re as different as A and Z. Cooper is an approachable family favorite, with soft, all-natural snow and newly opened advanced terrain for more adventurous skiers and riders. Go over the mountain and through the woods to Copper for three peaks and four bowls of downhill bliss, challenging terrain parks, and a wide array of runs, from bunny on up to those double black diamonds.

So, if the only mountains you’ve seen lately are mountains of empty pizza boxes, it’s probably time to think outside the… er, box. This year, make sure your last vacay of the school year is mountains of adventure and fun.

Check our Snow Report and start planning your spring break. Because here in Colorado Ski Country USA, there’s #AMountainForEveryone.

Awesome Après Options in Colorado Ski Country

Photo Credit: Arapahoe Basin

After a full day on the slopes, my top priority is to find a sunny spot to sit, kick off my ski boots, and enjoy après ski food and drinks with my friends and family. Luckily for me, Colorado ski areas offer a wide variety of options for early evening indulging with great food, drinks and lively atmosphere. I’ve highlighted a few of my favorite stand-out après ski menu items below, in case you haven’t had the chance to try them yet.

A Beer Made Special for a Colorado Ski Area. Several ski areas have partnered with local breweries to create custom-made beers, perfect for relaxing after a long day of skiing and riding. Highlights include Loveland Ski Area’s Bernese Mountain Brown Ale by Guanella Pass Brewery, Cooper’s Kerrigan Irish Stout by Dillon Dam Brewery, Monarch’s Throwback Red Ale by Elevation Beer Company, and Sunlight’s Sunny Pop Craft Soda by Tommyknocker Brewery. There are no shortage of great beers at ski areas across the state, and there’s something special about sipping a special beer that you can only get in one place.

Mountaintop Après at Winter Park. Every Friday and Saturday, Winter Park offers a unique alpenglow après ski experience at Sunspot Mountaintop Lodge, complete with cocktails, live music, and incredible views at 10,700 feet. If you load the gondola after 4pm, there’s no lift ticket required. And a wonderful bonus from the Sunspot Mountaintop Lodge – From 9am-4pm during the winter season, they also offer a Choose Your Own Adventure Mimosa Bar.

Echo Mountain’s 2 Mile Pie. The closest ski area to Denver has a new pizza truck, parked at 10,560 ft. above sea level (aka Two Miles High), serving delicious pizza for a slopeside treat. Also at Echo, Brother’s Grille offers soups and salads, sammies and burgers, plus draft beer, wine and cocktails. I’m partial to the Echo Hot Chocolate, because hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps is the best way to warm up on a winter day.

Elk Camp at Aspen Snowmass. Located atop the Elk Camp Gondola at Snowmass, this is the best place to enjoy a casual, on-mountain après ski scene complete with a heated sunny outdoor deck and a cozy indoor fireplace. I like to pair my cocktails with the artisan hand-tossed pizzas. Don’t miss Ullr Nights, a nighttime, winter wonderland party with winter activities like tubing, riding the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, snowbiking, s’mores and hot chocolate by the bonfire.

The Taco Beast at Steamboat. This unique, on-mountain roaming snowcat serves four types of trail tacos. You can snag food and drinks five days a week, from 11am – 2pm (or until sold out). This might not be within traditional après ski hours, but I’m always inclined to find the Taco Beast at lunchtime – or else call it a day a little early to enjoy some Beef Barbacoa tacos and a beer or two.

The World-Renowned Bacon Bloody Mary at Arapahoe Basin. This is an après ski item – or a breakfast beverage – that draws a crowd from far and wide.  Arapahoe Basin’s 6th Alley Bar & Grill, located in the base area, offers indoor and outdoor dining with mountain views and some of the best après ski atmosphere you’ll find in Colorado. Pair your Bacon Bloody Mary with the nachos or the pork brisket and thank me later.

Kathryn Robinson is a professional communicator at the intersection of the outdoor industry and higher education. After transplanting to Colorado from Florida, she learned to ski for the first time in her early twenties and never looked back. When she’s not on the slopes, she’s working with the Outdoor Recreation Economy program at CU Boulder, hiking, kayaking, or spending time with her family.